Sifter



y 4, 1939- M SCHNEIDER 2,164,841

SIFTER Filed Jan. 15, 1937 2 Sheefs-Sheet 1 mL.Scfineicler y 4, 1939- M. 1.. SCHNEIDER 2,164,841

SIFTER Filed Jan. 15, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented J ly 4, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SIFTER- Marie L. Schneider, Forest Hills, N. Y.

Application January 13, .1937, Serial No. 120,434

2 Claims.

This invention relates to sifters of a type especially designed and adapted for use in connection with flour, powdered, granular, or kindred material, and it is primarily an object of the invention to provide a sifter wherein the separating element is caused to vibrate in the same general direction as the flow of the material through the separating element.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind wherein the required vibration of the separating element is effected by the action of an electrically operated mechanism.

The invention also has for an object to provide a device of this kind wherein the vibrating separating element has a resilient connection with the operating member therefor, thus assuring a maximum of efficiency in operation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a sifter wherein the separated matter retained by the screening element can be conveniently removed from the sifter.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved sifter whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a View in top plan of a sitter constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary elevational view of a supporting member for the drive motor as herein embodied;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectionalvview taken radially through Figure 1 with certain of the parts in elevation.

The embodiment of my invention as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 is particularly intended for heavy work such as in bakeries although I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to this particular use. It is also to be stated that this embodiment of my invention is especially desirable for use in connection with the sifting of cake and doughnut mixes or the like, thus materially increasing the value of the sifter to the baker.

This form of the invention as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 comprises an annular shell I of" desired dimensions and which has its upper marginal portion strengthened or reinforced by an outwardly rolled bead 2. The lower marginal portion of the shell I is defined by an outstand ing flange 3 terminating in a depending flange 4.

To one side of its axial center the shell I is bridged by a support S. This support comprises a central depending member 5 to be bolted or otherwise secured to the front face of the housing of an electric motor M. The support S at opposite sides of this member 5 comprises down- Wardly inclined arms 6 terminating in depending legs 1 each of which being rigidly anchored, as at 8, to the shell I. The inclination of the arms 6 is such as to position the motor M substantially entirely above the shell I so that the motor M will offer no hinderance or obstruction to the desired flow through the sifter of the flour or kindred material to be treated.

The rear portion of the housing of the motor M is provided with an outstanding lug 9 to which is anchored, as at H), an end portion of a supporting brace H. The opposite end portion of this brace II is anchored, as at l2, to the upper marginal portion of the shell I. The brace H is of a length to assure the maintenance of the motor M in desired position and preferably with the drive shaft I 4 of the motor at right angles to the axial center of the shell I.

Keyed or otherwise secured to an extended portion of the shaft 14 for rotation therewith is an eccentric sleeve l5 having desired throw and with which coacts in a conventional manner a surrounding strap or head l6. Interposed between this head I 6 and the eccentric sleeve [5 is a suitable anti-friction assembly H.

The strap or head I6 is carried by the upper end portion of a rigid operator or rod l8 which is of a length to terminate a desired distance above the lower margin of the shell I proper. The purpose of this operator or rod [8 will hereinafter be more fully set forth.

The sleeve l5 to one side of the applied strap or head l6 carries a counter balance l9 to further facilitate the desired rotation of the shaft M.

The screening element E as herein disclosed comprises two substantially duplicate units X and Y. The unit X, however, has a screen fabric.

20 of larger mesh than the fabric 20 of the second unit Y. Each of these units X and Y in Figure 3 of the drawings and the fabrics 20 and 20' are suitably fastened to the outer faces of these members 2|. The members 2i have disposed therethrough the bolts 22 which maintain the units X and Y in desired superimposed relation.

When the element E is applied to the shell I the members 2| underlie the flange 3 of the shell and the bolts 22 coact with said flange 3 to hold the element E in applied position with respect to the shell.

It is also to be noted that the. interior diameter of the members 2| is substantially the same as the interior diameter of the shell I proper. It is also to be particularly stated that in the element E the coarser mesh 20 is immediately adjacent to the shell I or above the flner mesh 20.

The bolts 22 also provide means for holding below the applied element E a delivery hood or spout H. This spout is preferably in the form of an inverted truncated cone of desired dimensions and the upper or larger end of this hood or spout H is defined by an. outstanding flange 23 through which the bolts 22 are directed for holding the spout or hood H in applied position. The flange 23 has its outer margin defined by a perpendicularly related flange 24 which laps the flange 4 hereinbefore referred to. The hood or spout H assures an effective discharge of the sifted or separated material and more particu larly eliminates any indiscriminate spreading.

Interposed between the screens 20 and 20 of the element E at the axial center thereof is a sleeve 25 through which is directed from below a headed shank or bolt 25. This bolt 26 is of a length to extend above the upper or coarser screen 20 and to said extended portion is suitably secured a coil spring 2? which in turn is anchored, as at 28, to the lower end of the operator or rod l8 so that a resilient or yielding connection is had between the operator or rod 18 and the element E to assure the most effective sifting action.

The upper portion of the sleeve 25 has radiating therefrom a series of arms 29 which contact from below with the upper screen 28 and the outer end portions of the arms 29 carry the sleeves 30 bridging the space between the screens 20 and 20. Through these sleeves 30 are disposed the conventional holding bolts 3!. The sleeve 25, arms 29 and sleeves 39 provide a central rigid operator engaged between the screens 20 and 29' to assure a most efifective vibration of the screens 29 and El! in the same general direction as the flow of the material through the sifter. This vibration of the screens is made possible by the inherent flexibility thereof and the extent of such vibration is of course in accordance with the throw of the cam sleeve 25.

It is essential in the operation of this form of my sifter that the flour be caused to flow toward the center of the element E and for this purpose the shell I at predetermined points therearound is provided with the equidistantly spaced defleeting or feeding elements D. Each of these elements D is preferably formed of sheet metal and is constructed to provide the diverging side wings 32, the outer or free end portions of which. being provided with means, as at 33, whereby the element D may be securely anchored to the shell I. The apex or meeting portion of the element D is disposed on an upward and rearward incline toward the shell I but terminates a distance therefrom in order that the deflector D may be provided with a top opening 34. The lower margins of the wings 32 of the element D are positioned above the lower margin of the shell I and, of course, the applied screen, and these lower margins are substantially at right angles to the axial center of the shell.

The motor M is adapted to be coupled to a. suitable source of supply through the medium of a cable 35 in which is interposed a controlling switch 36 of any desired type. The switch 35 is preferably mounted upon and fixed to the brace member II.

The shaft I4 is rotated at required speed resulting in vibration of the screen element E. As this vibration is in the same general direction as the flow of the material to be worked, the sifter is of value not only in connection with flour but in sifting cake and doughnut mixes or the like as the action of the screens 2d and ill is such as to comminute substantially all of the lumps which may be in the material. After a sifting operation the sifter can be readily cleansed by inverting the same as the particles retained by the'screen will then readily repass through the screen 20 and the units D will offer no obstruction to the discharge of such separated matter as the same can readily flow out through the openings 34.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a sifter constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A sifter comprising a cylindrical shell, an outstanding flange carried by the lower end of said shell, a frustro-conical hood extending below said shell and provided with an outstanding flange at the large end thereof, an annulus interposed between said flanges, a pair of screen members disposed one on each side of said annulus, means securing said annulus, screen members and flanges together, a spider disposed between said screen members and axially thereof, a coil spring secured axially to spider, and a vibrating means secured to said coil spring and supported from said shell.

2. A sifter comprising a cylindrical shell, inwardly projecting deflectors carried by said shell, an outstanding flange carried by the lower end of said shell, a frustro-conical hood extending below said shell and provided with an outstanding flange at the large end thereof, an annulus interposed between said flanges, a pair of members disposed one on each side of said annu- 'lus, means securing said annulus, screen members and flanges together, a spider disposed between said screen members and axially thereof, a coil spring secured axially to said spider, and a vibrating means secured to said coil spring and supported from said shell.

MARIE L. SCHNEIDER. 

